Last week, South Monroe witnessed two murders and a shooting. Today, the public still waits for answers.
A 20-year-old man was killed in a shooting on Roy Drive. The incident occurred within city limits, yet confusion over jurisdiction has left residents in the dark. Monroe Police say the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating, while the Sheriff offered only a verbal summary.
As of Wednesday—days after the tragedy—no agency had released a written report. No victim’s name. No timeline. No explanation.
On May 22, a 14-year-old youth was shot. His death went unnoticed by the public—until posts on social media spread the word. Shockingly, his own mother wasn’t contacted by authorities until five days after the incident and three days after her child had passed.
The contrast is glaring. When a group of white teens fought in a North Monroe parking lot, police were quick to respond—not just with enforcement, but with public information. A press conference was held. The incident was described as a “group” fight.
Yet when similar violence involves Black youth in South Monroe, the narrative shifts. Suddenly, it’s not a “group”—it’s a “gang.”
This double standard feeds mistrust.
The silence from police allows rumors to flourish. Fear grows. Families are left to grieve in confusion, and communities are forced to piece together facts from Facebook posts instead of trusted officials.
We do not believe the Monroe Police Department values one life more than another. But perception matters. And right now, the perception in South Monroe is that our pain doesn’t matter unless it happens across town.
This isn’t about placing blame. It’s about demanding better.
The city’s communication systems regarding violence in South Monroe must improve. The people deserve timely, accurate information—especially when lives are lost. Transparency is not a favor. It’s a responsibility.
South Monroe should not have to beg for attention.
Monroe can do better. And we are not wrong for expecting more.
